As the senior staff person at OCA, the Executive Director is responsible for overseeing and proactively managing all facets of the organization. Responsibilities include a lead role in the strategic direction of the organization, government relations and strategy, development of annual budgets, monitoring of OCA’s financial performance, advisory roles for beef industry and multi-commodity committees, handling of all human resources activities and anticipation and management of a wide variety of issues.

Policy Advisor

The OCA Policy Advisor is responsible for researching and documenting all aspects of a variety of issues facing the beef industry. This person explores policy options and assesses how these fit with the positions held by other organizations. Duties also include the preparation of position papers, strategy documents and assistance in the development of lobby strategies. The Policy Advisor works with staff members to develop coherent and strategic messaging.

 

The OCA Policy Advisor is responsible for researching and documenting all aspects of a variety of issues facing the beef industry. This person explores policy options and assesses how these fit with the positions held by other organizations. Duties also include the preparation of position papers, strategy documents and assistance in the development of lobby strategies. The Policy Advisor works with staff members to develop coherent and strategic messaging.

 

The Communications Manager leads OCA's efforts to communicate with members and the general public. Responsibilities include: Cattlemen's Weekly, the OCA website and Ontario Beef magazine. As well, this person is the lead in developing corporate presentations and coordinating media relations.  The Communications Manager coordinates the OCA Annual General Meeting, OCA Sharecost Program and the Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). As well, this staff person coordinates all  marketing efforts and promotional item inventories, and attends trade shows as needed.
 

Responsibilities of the Market Information Coordinator include managing the computer database, maintaining OCA’s market information Web site, daily communications with livestock auction markets and packers, preparation of price reports, market summaries and media commentaries and responding to information requests from producers.

The Accountant is responsible for OCA’s bookkeeping including accounts receivable, accounts payable and financial statements as well as payroll and benefits administration. The Accountant works closely with the Executive Director in preparing monthly financial overviews for the Board of Directors, with OCA’s check-off inspector in collecting and reconciling check-off dollars, and with Board members and county Advisory Councillors regarding their expenditures for the Association’s initiatives.  The Accountant also serves as Circulation Coordinator for Ontario Beef magazine, and maintains the publication's mailing list.

The Office Manager is responsible for administrative support for the organization and staff. Duties include reception, assistance with arranging meetings, conference calls and travel as needed, preparing letters memos and reports, maintaining membership database and back-up for market reporting. The Office Manager also provides support to staff members with projects as required.

The Manager of Producer Relations is responsible for providing support to beef producers on programs and industry inquiries. The Manger of Producer Relations is also coordinator of the Quality Starts Here program, responsible for the facilitation of QSH workshops and promotion of the program to beef producers across Ontario. This position is also responsible for assisting with the development of on-farm standard operating procedures, records and documentation and preparation for on-farm audits for farm certification.

The Check-off Inspector has the responsibility of conducting inspections of records at auction markets, packers, dealers and producers regarding collection of and remittance of license fee deductions. The position must be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as an inspector under the Beef Cattle Marketing Act and/or the Livestock and Livestock Products Act.

This position works on a part time contract basis with OCA to promote the Feeder Finance Program, supervise the co-ops, provide leadership and director training as per an agreement OCA has with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Provincial Program Supervisor visits all the co-ops on at least a yearly basis. As well, as part-time Supervisor of the Beef Breeder Co-op, this person is responsible for promoting the program and providing leadership to the co-ops with respect to policies, insurance, and audit requirements. The position also provides guidance and leadership to the Board members and facilitate communication and correspondence among co-ops.

The Ontario Beef magazine Advertising Manager works on contract with OCA out of a satellite office. This position is responsible for selling and preparing advertising for Ontario Beef magazine and includes liaison with advertisers, graphic designers and the magazine printer.